Healthy DIY Snacks

The Story Behind My Decision to Eat Healthier (Healthier is there for a reason.)

Have you ever wanted a snack but couldn't find anything that was both healthy and filling? Eating healthy doesn't have to sound so frightening. We all want to eat better, so we can live a long and healthy life. Trust me, I have always been the "Let's grab a brownie from the nearest cake shop," or "How about let's go to a fast food restaurant instead?" type of gal. It was all mashed potatoes and gravy until the day I got married and started a family. I had my family's health to consider when choosing what to eat. Could I have really just gone to a fast food restaurant every day? I could have, but I made a wiser decision. I'm going to be honest, my husband was quite worried at first. He questioned my healthy snacks and dinners 100 percent of the time. With a little practice and patience, my husband now requests that we eat my famously healthy foods. Who would have thought? Now, my next task will have to be convincing my children to like it just as much as he does! Well, enough about me, let's get to it. I have discovered two DIY healthy snacks that keep you fuller longer. :)

Delicious Power Smoothie

Smoothies are my go-to fill me ups when I don't want to get too full on heavy meals. My children are always asking me to make them a smoothie. If you have children, try making this healthy smoothie for them in the mornings before school but minus the nuts. The oatmeal will make this nutritious smoothie very filling!

Things You Will Need:

• One banana
• Half an orange
• One cup of fresh spinach (my favorite)!
• A handful of fresh raspberries or blackberries (really, any berry would be great)
• A handful of almonds (again, any nut is great and rich in protein. Yay)
• 1/4 Cup of oatmeal
• Any cup of cold juice is fine, but pineapple gives this smoothie great flavor! Add more or less juice for the consistency you desire.

......... BLEND .........

And there you have it—a great smoothie that is both delicious and nutritious!

Check out this great blender. You can buy on Amazon today for less than a hundred bucks! Your health deserves at least that much, right? 1000 Watts of professional power will surely get the job done.

Sweet Tooth Sweet Potato

Everyone has a sweet tooth now and then. If you say you don't, I won't believe you. Now, this dessert is great when you are having a sweet tooth but don't want to ruin your diet. This treat is a healthier alternative. Let's get started, shall we?

Things You Will Need:

• Organic Sweet Potatoes
• Natural Ground Cinnamon
• Organic Raw Honey
• Sea Salt
• Basting Brush

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Prep for Baking:

Preheat your oven 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Slightly coat your baking sheet with pure olive oil. Place six small to medium-size organic sweet potatoes on the baking sheet. Lightly brush the top of sweet potatoes with olive oil and make a slit down the middle. Place it on the top rack of the oven. Bake for 45 minutes or until tender.

How to Serve:

Once the sweet potatoes are done baking, it is time to enjoy. Carefully open the sweet potato and fluff with a fork. Add the organic honey and sea salt. Next, top it off with a sprinkle of cinnamon and voila! A tasty and filling snack for you and the family. *I personally add butter to my sweet potato, but you don't have to! Or you can. It will be our little secret. (:

Fun Health Facts

Oatmeal

"Oatmeal contains soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, apples, pears, barley and prunes" (Mayo Clinic).

Sweet Potatoes

According to Mayo Clinic's website, sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidant beta-carotene, and once eaten our bodies convert this health food into vitamin A. Also, beta-carotene may help slow the aging process. Who knew sweet potatoes could be so rewarding?